Living

They say “Life is a marathon, not a sprint.” The meaning is that we shouldn’t get hung up on the little events we experience. Life goes on for a long...

Over the years I’ve visited a number of different health professionals to help me manage my axial spondyloarthritis. Some have not proven helpful for me personally (both chiropractic and osteopathic...

For those grappling with Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA), moments with family can quickly become challenging encounters that leave us frustrated and misunderstood. I vividly recall a recent holiday visit with my...

Dating with a chronic illness sure can be tough. We have a complicated enough relationship with our immune system, so having another one with a human being on top of...

It wasn’t my idea to get a dog. My 9 year old daughter was obsessed. I can’t tell you how many times a day she would tell us she wanted...

I got my breast reduction surgery in early July of this year. It was my first surgery and I got through it. Add it to my list of accomplishments--I'm so...

The perfect solution does not exist. But, please keep reading. Every morning I wake up not having any idea what kind of day I am going to have. Sure, I...

Seven years ago, my already chaotic, 18-year-old world was rocked. Amidst a blur of final exams, breakdowns and breakups, my back and hips caught fire, or at least that’s how...

As I sat in that sterile conference room, awaiting confirmation from my genetic counselor, I couldn't help but feel detached from the situation. The alphabet soup of diagnoses I had...

Three years before my diagnosis, while I was playing college tennis, I was having a lot of gut and joint issues. That’s when I first looked at changing my diet...

Editor's note: This article discusses suicide and mental health issues.Dave Courtney lived a truly fascinating life. Growing up in a similar area of South London as myself, Dave made a name...

Changing my diet has been a game-changer for me in reducing the painful inflammatory symptoms of axial spondyloarthritis. Ten years ago I began learning as much as I could about...

I’ve been on biologics now for two and a half years. Before biologics, I was desperate for relief from the pain my AS was causing. I was taking the maximum...

As anyone living with axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpa) knows, one of the critical aspects of navigating AxSpa is redefining what success means after diagnosis. The sense of loss and frustration can...

I was sitting my rheumatologist's office, when he mentioned "I think you should look into a breast reduction." This never crossed my mind. I was so angry at my doctor...

Are you living with axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) and looking for ways to improve your quality of life? Do you have questions about how lifestyle changes can help you manage your...

I used to be a runner, a golfer, ice hockey player, and could stay up all night laying down floor tiles. I once created 12 six-foot tall plywood letters, and...

Since I was a teenager, I have always enjoyed lifting weights at the gym. It was probably the first hobby I had that didn’t get me into trouble! I loved...

Broken sleep and nighttime pain are challenging aspects of living with AS. Over time I’ve developed some strategies that help me manage when these symptoms crop up. It’s usually the...

I’ve never been a massive fan of “traveling,” but I appreciate arriving at my destination. Before 2020, I used to travel quite often for work, but nowadays, I appreciate the...